The Tournament of Backshots

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The bright lights from above woke me up. The floor was cold, the air stagnant. As I sat up I rubbed my eyes, my vision was still kinda fuzzy.

"Nande…"

Then I saw him.

clap clap clap

"Ka ka… welcome back overthinking hooper."

That voice. It was him…

"S-skittle…. USODA"

He stood a few feet in front of me. His shadow made it difficult to make out his features. As I looked around I noticed that we were back on the court from our first encounter. The hooper society. Except it was just the two of us this time. None of his lackeys were near.

"Eh… what happened to those other geeks from last time"

He smirked.

"Heh… well you took care of a few, and let's just I got bored of the others. I like to tinker with my toys ya know. Any who we have some business to discuss."

What does he… THE GAME. I MISSED. I MISSED THE SHOT.

"Ma-m- MATTE. IT- IT WASN'T MY- WELL I KNOW I MISSED BUT I-"

"Tsk tsk. Like father like son I suppose. The both of you were so promising."

He crouched down, wearing that same devious asf grin

"But you Haise, there's something special about you. He did help you obtain that gift after all"

Oto san…

I don't want this anymore.

"I- I don't care about this damn ability. I don't care about this damn hooper society. I DONT GIVE A GYATT ABOUT ANY OF IT"

I got up on my legs.

"FIGHT ME SKITTLE. ONE ON ONE. ILL MOG YOU TILL THE COWS COME HOME. YOU'VE TAKEN EVERYTHING ELSE FROM ME, WHY NOT A BEATING TO GO WITH IT"

"Ka ka… geez overthinking hooper give me a chance to speak. I have another offer for you. Since I couldn't keep my end of our previous deal."

"Nani ?"

"The big finale. Although you may have missed the last shot I believe there was some foul play…"

"Eh"

"There were some interferences during that match, that I didn't plan…"

Hmmmm ?

"as well as the first match…"

Kenju too ?

"Ka ka. I believe you may have had a chance overthinking hooper. So I'll grant you're request. I'll take you one on one. But first I want you to prove you're worth one last time. In a tournament."

"Matte matte. Interference ? "

"Well a small one. Let's just say there was a rat among your group. And I want you to take them on in my own Skittle approved Tournament of Backshots."

"YOU MEAN A TRAITOR. WHO"

"Ka ka. And I was so sure I got rid of them the last time. Quite the slippery salamander that one, always changing their name and appearance. You probably know them by their current alias… the nomither god I believe."

"AJ…"

"Their true name is murdock. I've dealt with them several times in the past, but every time I think I get rid of em a new one appears. There's probably been over 200 by now."

What the hell was he talking about. AJ's done so much for me… This whole time… It doesn't make sense…

"Doesn't that make him one of your lackies then. I mean he would have to have a hoopism right..."

"Heh. Why don't you ask him yourself. Perchance."

"You can't just say-"

brrrghhgrhrh

I couldn't move a muscle. My feet glued in place. The world around me began to melt, with my vision swirling and turning into ooze.

shchchchhz

A shot up.

There he was in front of me. AJ. Staring down at the court, he wouldn't look at me.

I was able to move freely again.

I looked to the side of the court and there was Skittle with that same devious asf grin. Sitting behind him in the stands were the rest of the rizzlers, Abi chan, and Joma. They looked worried. At least we were together.

"Gomen Haiseter. It looks like the jig is up huh…"

"Are you serious right neow bro. Ain't no way what Skittle said was true. He's controlling you right. Right AJ?"

He picked his head up and started me dead in the eyes.

"Murdock_239. I've been scoping out TTMSHS for a few years waiting for someone like you. Arthur Jonesy was just one of many of my identities."

"Nani… I don't believe it"

He pointed his fingers in my face.

"I can't let Skittle have that ability overthinking hooper. It belongs to Boble."

Who ? He sounded irrelevant.

Aj turned to Skittle.

"If I win it's mine. Got it chump ?"

Skittle laughed.

"Ka ka… If you say so… 239th time is the charm I suppose"

Abi chan stood up from the stands. She pumped her fist.

"Show em what for Haise kun. Don't forget your hoopdo."

My hooper way.

Skittle looked annoyed. He was tapping his foot and his hands were on his hips.

"Let's get on with it shall we."

CLAP

He slapped his hands together.

AJ and I got pushed back to the opposing hoops. A ball appeared in the center of the court.

"The rules are simple. First one to make a single hoop wins."

He grabbed his whistle.

"Let the Tournament of Backshots begin!!"

WHHHHIIII